UAW Local 282 members end strike at Lear with tentative agreement

Contract includes 30 percent wage increase for production workers

By SHERI GASSAWAY
Assistant Editor

Wentzville, MO – After a three day strike, UAW Local 282 members at Lear are back to work with a tentative four-year agreement that includes a 30 percent wage increase for production workers and a 35 percent increase for maintenance employees.

The 460 employees, who make seats for GM vehicles, went on strike early July 22 for better health and safety protections on the job, higher wages and improved health and retirement benefits. The action halted production at the nearby GM Wentzville Assembly plant, which ran out of Lear-made seats.

RESTORES CONCESSIONS
“It’s a fair agreement that restores all of the major concessions that took place in previous agreements and took a big step forward on a whole series of important issues to the membership,” said Jason Starr, UAW Region 4 servicing representative.

Local 282 President Bill Hugeback said this was the second time in 15 months Lear employees have gone on strike at the company demanding better safety protections on the job. Many employees have developed severe back pain, knee pain and carpel tunnel syndrome due to the repetitive nature of the job, he said.

‘ADDRESSES SAFETY CONCERNS’
“This new agreement addresses those concerns, provides significant wage increases and several opportunities to improve work/life balance and positively impact members,” Hugeback said.

The tentative agreement also includes $2 per hour journeyman premiums, cost-of-living adjustments, 401(k) auto contributions and match increases, short work week benefits and increased shift premiums, vacation and bereavement leave.

UAW Local 2250 members from the GM Assembly Plant, who were on strike against GM last fall for 45 days, joined Local 282 members on the picket line and brought snacks and drinks in support of the striking workers.

Kenneth Barrett, Local 282 bargaining chairperson, thanked the leadership and members of UAW Region 4, Local 282 and Local 2250 for all the support and backing during the strike.

‘NEW STANDARDS’
“These negotiations helped us obtain the best seating contract in the nation and establish new standards for other facilities to obtain in the collective bargaining process,” Barrett said.

Hugeback said members were scheduled to vote on the agreement sometime this week.